2 h. ago Lauren Sanchez totes black Hermes bag in NYC after allegedly losing $10M bid for Jane Birkin's original Birkin

Lauren Sanchez rocked a black Birkin as she joined her husband Jeff Bezos in New York City over the weekend - after reportedly losing $10.1M bid for the original.

Politics

11 h. ago Lauren Sanchez totes black Birkin in NYC after allegedly losing $10M bid for Jane Birkin's original Hermes bag

Lauren Sanchez rocked a black Birkin as she joined her husband Jeff Bezos in New York City over the weekend - after reportedly losing $10.1M bid for the original.

Politics

52 h. ago Collectors can fight to pay £7m for a Birkin – but the ‘it’ handbag is no longer cool | Lauren Cochrane

As prices have ratcheted up, the bag created for Jane Birkin has lost its bohemian edge and its fashion appealThe news that Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag has sold for a record-breaking €8.6m (£7.4m) at auction will no doubt cause some jaws to drop to the floor. However, perhaps it should not surprise – this is a bag design that is often linked to eyewatering amounts of money. Forty years on from the prototype, it’s now less a (very expensive) symbol of style and elegance, and more a way to signal you have a lot of money and you would like everyone to know that.A Birkin has always been expensive – about $10,000 (£7,400), according to the Guardian last year – but the complicating factor is demand. As was reported, two California residents sued Hermès for a practice known as “tying”, which means customers are expected to pre-spend a sufficient amount on other items, such as homewares or jewellery – some say up to $30,000 – before they are even put on the waiting list for a Birkin. ...

Economics

3 d. ago Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag sells for over $10 million at auction

The inspiration for the handbag came during a chance encounter between British-born actress and singer Jane Birkin and the artistic director of Hermès on an Air France flight in early 80s

Economics

3 d. ago Original 1984 Hermes Birkin bag belonging to the late Jane Birkin becomes most valuable handbag ever as it sells for £8.6million

The original Birkin, named after the British actress and singer, is now also the second most expensive fashion item to ever be sold, after it went under the hammer at Sotheby's in Paris on Thursday.

Economics

4 d. ago Watch live: Jane Birkin’s original Hermès handbag goes up for auction at Sotheby’s

Watch live as the original Hermès Birkin bag, designed for singer Jane Birkin, is auctioned at Sotheby's Paris "Fashion Icons" sale during Haute Couture Week on Thursday, 10 July.

Politics

4 d. ago Jane Birkin’s original Hermès bag is up for auction in Paris

The original Birkin bag created by Hermès for Jane Birkin in 1984 is up for auction in Paris

Politics